My Surprise Mate

Dane moved Kyra’s bassinet from the living room into our bedroom.

As I got Kyra situated in our room, Dane went outside to talk to the guys and fill them in.

He wasn’t gone long and told me our house would be guarded from now until Devin is found.I had this gut feeling there was more going on than we realized.I couldn’t sleep at all, and Dane slept off and on.I lay there watching Kyra most of the night and every little noise I heard had me sitting up in bed.

Kyra woke up around five that morning and I decided to stay up for the day.

After getting us both dressed, I headed to the kitchen to make breakfast.

Kyra seemed to be her normal happy self just like any other morning, blissfully unaware of what was going on.

Unsure if all three guys had stayed outside all night or not, I opened the front door and stepped out to find Zayd standing near the steps, "Good morning," I told him.

He smiled at me as he walked up the steps, "Morning dear.You should still be asleep."

He pulled me in for a hug.

Zayd and Adria acted like parents I never had, and they always seemed to help ease my worries.

"I couldn’t sleep and, besides, Kyra woke up hungry this morning."

he smiled and nodded his head, "well she is a growing girl, and we tend to eat more than normal humans."

"l was going to offer some breakfast and coffee but wasn’t sure or Colby.

"I'll take some coffee," Zayd replied.

"Me too!" I turned to find Ash walking toward the porch.

Neither of them looked as tired as I felt this morning.I led them into the kitchen and started pouring them each a cup while they sat down at the table.

"Good morning little princess," Zayd cooed to Kyra.She smiled brightly at him as he picked her up.

"Did y’all stay outside the whole night?" I questioned them.

"Yes and no,"

Ash started, "Four people were guarding all night, but we did rotate out with three of our best warriors to be able to squeeze in a little sleep."

I nodded in understanding as I handed them their mugs.

"Don’t forget Adria was here periodically through the night too."

"I had no idea she was out here too."

I watched as Zayd and Ash exchanged a knowing look, "What you have never seen is pissed off Adria when her family is being threatened.She wasn’t necessarily coming out to help guard but more to make sure we were doing it the ‘right’ way."

Both guys began to laugh, "she had us stationed around the house so there wasn’t a single side left unprotected, and every 15 minutes we had to switch spots to keep us alert."

Zayd was shaking his head as he spoke.

Dane walked into the kitchen wearing only a pair of sweatpants that hung dangerously low on his hips.

"Did we wake you?" I asked as he wrapped his arms around me and rested his head on top of mine.

He was watching Zayd playing with Kyra.

"No, you didn’t wake me.It’s just time to get up."

The front door opened as Adria came rushing in, have no idea how much trouble you two were fixing to be in." she pointed her finger at Ash and Zayd.

"Holly invited us in for coffee,"

Zayd started telling her as he walked toward her with Kyra, "you know I would never leave this angel unprotected."

Adria sighed, "I know honey, I just...I won’t let them get to her."

Zayd handed Kyra to her, "None of us will,"

Ash finally spoke.

I looked at Dane when there was a light knock at the door, "It’s Genesis and Blaze,"

Ash said as he went to open the door.

"Good morning,"

Genesis greeted as she followed Blaze into the house.

Blaze went straight to Adria and began talking to Kyra.

After setting Kyra on her playmat, Adria came and sat down at the table with us, "Should we have our meeting now or later in the office?"

She cut straight to the point.

"We just need Colby here and we can do it now.No reason to wait." I answered.

"He’s on his way,"

Dane reached over, slipping his hand into mine.

within minutes and took a seat at the table with

told everyone about my ‘dream’ and received many gasps and low

exchanging looks the whole time I was talking, making me feel

it?" I finally asked, looking back and forth between the two

are some things that

squeezed my hand

as I stared at him, "Like

when he didn’t elaborate friendly, maybe a little too friendly, and when he told us about the prophecy, he said he

we are to believe that Devin and Nyla were able to not only bring him down but wound him with a silver

their thoughts, "Apollo has never been one to tolerate disrespect from anyone.He’s a very strict ruler.His command alone

to hurt him," I repeated what

could have taken them both down without hurting them.His command may not work on Devin, just as it didn’t seem to

to think of anything that seemed odd, but other than what Dane pointed out, I couldn’t remember anything that would

Apollo is a

Zayd this time

part of this than any of us realized.I know this isn’t something you want to hear,

Zayd told me gently.

being betrayed by my

do you think you could

can about this prophecy.Ash and Colby, I need training

heads, a resounding, "Yes

door as everyone slowly left, "When your dad calls, you need

told me as he sat down next to me.I was now sitting on

not really in the

the packhouse soon.I have some phone calls to make.Do you want to stay home today, or do you want to go over with

the packhouse." I smiled

out walking around by yourself, especially if you have Kyra

at

move would be? We walked together to the packhouse, stopping a few times to speak with a few people

to the office next door to

them that looked to be hundreds

"Any luck?"

pretty sure Kyra has toys, playpens, and play mats

looked at me shaking their heads, "Not yet,

Adria replied.

a book titled, Our to be read often.I carefully flipped through the pages as I

has appeared in dreams before.But it doesn’t really

as she

get Blaze

the door, "Any luck?"

closed the book she was currently reading and stood stretching her limbs out, "Not yet dear.Where is Zayd

phone; he said he would meet us downstairs

looked at the clock hanging on the wall above the door, surprised to

would explain Kyra’s

girl isn’t about to miss

together, meeting up with everyone as we entered the

her highchair between her and

happening, I couldn’t help but realize that even though Apollo has been friendly since meeting him, I don’t

are focused mainly on

think it was

how things were going there, Apollo would always quickly change the subject back

murmured lost in my

should talk privately after

expression became one of worry, but he didn’t

distrust get to my head, but I couldn't help but wonder if Apollo could be in on this with Devin? I mean, I know that Dane doesn’t really trust him, but could Apollo be the mastermind behind this? I didn’t know Devin well enough to say if

to believe that Apollo’s intentions had been anything but good—unfortunately, it looked like

the kids to her house so they could take a nap while the rest of us went upstairs to Dane’s

is the brains behind all of this," I stated not waiting for everyone to get

up in surprise at

little too friendly when he was here.He hasn’t been able to come back to visit in person since, but I have regular phone calls with him.Every phone call is about me and Kyra, mainly Kyra though.Anytime I ask about Devin, or how things are going there, or the prophecy, he is quick to change the subject or gives me very vague answers in return.Then there is the whole "attack".. that really doesn’t make any

engulfed in silence once I finished spilling my

stopped pacing the office

agree with you.I do think Apollo is playing a part, but whether he is the brains or not I can’t say.I think that Devin is cleverer

head as I thought

did the phone call

I looked at Zayd.

said he was on the phone before lunch,

on the phone much, but he did say he was planning to come and speak with us.He wouldn’t say anything else

"Why not talk on

me, "Vampires are very private, secretive

sit down,

sigh, wishing

dismissing Ash and Colby, Dane looked at Zayd, "I spoke with Uncle Dayton

one of the very few people I fully trust to discuss this with.He asked about the bordering land.He wants to move his

moving a whole pack, but then again, there aren't too

why he felt he needed to move his pack next

to do that?" I

said he has good reason to do it.Dayton said his loyalty lies with his family and, as far as the Royal Pack goes, his loyalty is with you.He’s never been a

shocked to hear his loyalty wasn’t

knows me, but he has been willing to stand

will have Adria

his chair, "remind Ash and Colby that Dominick will be coming sometime.We don’t need anyone

alone in the office, the